Stevie Wonder - Eivets Rednow

When you open the album, the original cover already refuses to name the artist. Only the pseudonym "Eivets Rednow" stands out at first glance—a perfect anagram of "Stevie Wonder"—a signature that immediately erases the vocal figure in favor of a purely compositional identity. Released on November 20, 1968, on the Gordy label, this ninth studio album delivers no human voice. It presents itself as a laboratory act where the multi-instrumentalist transforms into an instrumental composer, exploring a purely technical facet of his talent without ever succumbing to the seduction of singing. The absence of a name on the cover is not an editorial oversight; it is a visual strategy that reinforces the experimental nature of the project. This approach fits within a transitional period where Stevie Wonder explores more instrumental sounds following the immediate success of the single "Alfie," but also continues the trajectory of a career already rich with previous albums like Someday at Christmas (1967) or The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie (1962).

An instrumental album where Stevie Wonder plays every instrument alone

Beyond the visual mystery, the substance of the album rests on a complete solo performance. The total duration of the nine tracks is 31 minutes and 51 seconds—a compact format that recalls the studio sessions of the era when the artist composed, produced, and performed his sound material all by himself.

Henry Cosby on production: A jazz-fusion and orchestral vision

Artistic direction is entrusted to Henry Cosby, whose production work permeates every track on the album. This aesthetic stands out distinctly from the immediate pop-soul sound that marked For Once in My Life (1968), the album that followed immediately after this instrumental record.

Alfie and Grazing In The Grass: The Instrumental Openers and Closers

The instrumental cycle opens with "Alfie," a track that reprises the theme from the 1966 film, before closing with "Grazing In The Grass." This looping structure creates a coherent framework where intermediate tracks like "More Than A Dream" or "Ruby" merely extend the same exploration.

Critical Verdict: Between Technical Virtuosity and Lack of Vocals

Eivets Rednow is above all else a pure execution success. The complete instrumental album highlights Stevie Wonder's multi-instrumentalist talent, but it does not sell itself as a cult record insofar as it renounces one of its fundamental strengths: the voice. This total absence of vocal interpretation characterizes the entire work and constitutes its main weakness for an audience accustomed to Wonder's performances on tracks like those from I Was Made to Love Her (1967) or With a Song in My Heart (1963). Produced by Henry Cosby, this ninth step in the artist's career remains a fascinating but marginal chapter in his discography.

Technical Specifications

- Release: November 20, 1968 - Label: Gordy - Tracks: 9 (31 min 51 s) - Opening/Closing: Alfie / Grazing In The Grass